A pioneering architectural vision in Los Angeles: The space-age marvel Lucas
Architecture studios MAD and Stantec have unveiled a breathtaking new addition to Los Angeles: the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. This futuristic structure is situated on a sprawling 13-acre site near Exposition Park. This five-story architectural wonder is dedicated to storytelling. Founded by the legendary George Lucas and businesswoman Mellody Hobson, it promises to be a cultural landmark.
An extraordinary facade and cantilevered design of the museum
The museum boasts over 1,270 fiberglass-reinforced polymer panels, cloaking it in a smooth facade reminiscent of a spaceship. Each panel measures approximately 8 by 32 feet, narrowing towards the center, further enhancing its sleek aesthetic. According to MAD founder Ma Yansong, the design embodies “emotional architecture” with fluid spaces throughout the complex.
The structure’s edges extend dramatically beyond its supports, evoking the idea of flight. The facade has glass-filled arches, creating striking visual moments. MAD describes the building as biomorphic, appearing to float due to its cantilevered form, merging it seamlessly with its landscape. Indeed, this monument stands as a testament to innovative architectural design.
Harmonizing with nature
California-based Studio-MLA crafted the landscaping, weaving the futuristic building into its park setting. Greenery on rooftops enhances this connection. The reflective architectural approach blurs the line between indoor and outdoor space, embracing our desire to connect with nature surrounding the museum.
The structure’s centerpiece is a semi-enclosed plaza with a colossal oculus supported by steel beams. This leads to expansive lobbies featuring contrasting materials—wood and white panels—with glass elevators providing access to galleries and theaters seating 299 each.
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Exploration through art and architecture
The lower levels house a library, classrooms, and amenities like a shop and cafe. The fourth floor hosts most gallery spaces, allowing visitors to gaze down through the oculus. Higher, the fifth floor introduces you to the Skywalker Grill, designed by Rockwell Group, offering a mix of fluted wood details and white paneling.
In a contrast to the smooth exteriors, some galleries, styled by WHY Architecture, retain a traditional feel. Highlights include installations displaying art ranging from ancient to modern, covering media and genres that span time and imagination, all encapsulated within this revolutionary venue.
The raw concrete ceilings in areas reinforce the museum’s raw yet sophisticated aesthetic. Importantly, the building incorporates 281 seismic base isolators and a special moat, ensuring it can withstand earthquakes.
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A cinematic voyage through curated landscapes
Studio-MLA emphasizes that the storytelling element extends outdoors. Designed as a journey, the grounds feature California-inspired topographies like foothills and canyons, offering varied pathways and vantage points around the site.
“We envisioned the visitor as a traveler,” the studio notes, creating a narrative journey through strategically sculpted microhabitats around the museum.
Breaking ground in 2018, the Lucas Museum is poised to open to the public on September 22. This grand project enhances MAD’s reputation for designing monumental structures, like the Beverly Hills condo noted for its vast living wall.
Project recognition and credits
MAD served as the design architect, with Stantec as the architect of record. Studio-MLA led the landscape design. Other key contributions came from Diversified Project Development, Hathaway Dinwiddie, LERA, Alfa Tech, WHY Architecture, and the Rockwell Group. This collaboration culminates in a masterpiece that intertwines narrative art with innovative design, embodied by this landmark.
Sources & Links
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What is unique about the Lucas Museum’s facade?
The museum boasts over 1,270 fiberglass-reinforced polymer panels, cloaking it in a smooth facade reminiscent of a spaceship. Each panel measures approximately 8 by 32 feet, narrowing towards the center, further enhancing its sleek aesthetic.
What features are in the museum’s interior?
The structure’s centerpiece is a semi-enclosed plaza with a colossal oculus supported by steel beams. The lower levels house a library, classrooms, and amenities like a shop and cafe, while the fourth floor hosts most gallery spaces and the fifth floor features the Skywalker Grill designed by Rockwell Group.
What is the landscape design around the museum like?
Studio-MLA crafted the landscaping, weaving the futuristic building into its park setting, with greenery on rooftops enhancing the connection. The grounds feature California-inspired topographies like foothills and canyons, offering varied pathways and vantage points around the site.